New Castle County regulates fence materials through the Unified Development Code (UDC), primarily Article 40 (zoning). Wood, vinyl, composite, wrought iron, and tubular steel are permitted in residential districts. Barbed wire and razor wire are prohibited in residential zones. Chain-link is allowed but often restricted to side and rear yards. Electric fences require special approval and are limited to agricultural zones.
Under the New Castle County Unified Development Code (UDC), fence materials are regulated through Article 40 (the county zoning code). Permitted residential fence materials include wood (cedar, pressure-treated pine, board-on-board), vinyl, composite, wrought iron, tubular steel, and chain-link. Barbed wire, concertina, and razor wire are prohibited in all residential zoning districts (NC5, NC6a, NC6b, etc.) and allowed only in industrial and agricultural districts (HI, GI, SR) with additional height requirements. Chain-link is permitted but in some residential subdivisions is restricted to side and rear yards by covenant or HOA rule rather than by UDC. Electric livestock fences are restricted to agricultural districts (SR - Suburban Reserve or CR - Conservation Reserve) with minimum lot sizes. Historic zoning overlay districts and design-review areas such as historic New Castle, Odessa, and portions of Brandywine Hundred impose additional material restrictions favoring wood picket and wrought iron over vinyl. The Red Clay Creek Scenic River corridor and Brandywine Creek State Park buffer zones have additional visual review requirements. HOAs in Hockessin, Greenville, and Pike Creek subdivisions typically enforce stricter material covenants than the UDC. Swimming pool barriers must also meet the Delaware-adopted International Residential Code material standards.
Prohibited materials: correction notice with 30 to 60 days to remove or replace. Failure to comply: civil fines $100 to $500 and potential daily penalties under NCC Code enforcement. Fences constructed without a zoning permit where required: additional $100 to $500 permit penalty.
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